Originally posted on rec.arts.sf.starwars by: AVRK90@waccvm.corp.mot.com (Kevin Cox) ------------------------------------------------------------------------ SEE-THREEPIO - SERIAL #: C-3PO/Z195A46 TYPE: Translator DROID CLASS: Servant/Domestic OWNER: Luke Skywalker PROGRAMMING: Protocol; Human-droid Relations Specialist Class C CONSTRUCTION: Imperial Cybernetics Corporation DESCRIPTION: Height - 1.92 meters Weight - 226 kilos Finish - burnished duralloy, a scratch-resistant alloy Bipedal, roughly human in appearance. C-3PO model droids are programmed to blend perfectly with human society, even to the extent of mimicking human gestures and idiosyncrasies. Their external arrangement, conforming as closely as possible to the pan-human norm, is designed to convey an expression of neutrality--there is still considerable hostile feeling for droids on the more backward worlds of the galaxy, and a droid so resembling a human must watch his step.See-Threepio is equipped with a complete range of visual, auditory, olfactory and sensile receptors, as well as a broadband antenna for receiving the electronic communications of less-sophisticated robots.His main function--as a cosmeticized interpreter--is to translate instantly any one of thousands of galactic tongues. As a translator, the creativity output of his motivator is minimal, and he has little aptitude for embellishing his translations. HISTORY: Several translator droids of the highly-sophisticated C-3PO model were ordered by the Royal Family on Alderaan for use as servant/domestics. This particular droid was given the usual tests for normalcy, and was found to be slightly erratic; but instead of returning him to Imperial Cybernetics, a minor clerical error ordered him put to work as a Drudge; programming binary load lifters. Reassigned as a personal valet to the Viceroy of Alderaan, See-Threepio was added to the staff of a privately-manned Galactic Cruiser, and narrowly missed seizure by Imperial stormtroopers when the vessel was boarded. Escaping to the inhospitable surface of the planet Tatooine, See-Threepio was sold by local scavengers to Owen Lars, the late uncle of the legendary Luke Skywalker. CONDITION: Although See-Threepio suffered various forms of damage on the hot, abrasive world of Tatooine, he was recently reconditioned by technicians on the rebel base of Yavin. New servomotors were installed in a severed right arm, and a completely new finish applied. In spite of the continued erratic functioning of the logical and analytical sections of the droids's motivator, he has not been subjected to a memory erasure as might be expected under the circumstances. His heroic actions in helping to deliver the vital readouts to Yavin amply proved his dedication to the rebel cause. See-Threepio has shown a unique and remarkable tendency to commit deliberate falsehoods, an action completely independent of his protocol programming. ============================================================================== ARTOO DETOO - SERIAL #: R2-D2/Y477Q90 DROID CLASS: Utility TYPE: Astromech OWNER: Luke Skywalker PROGRAMMING: Starship Maintenance/Repair Technician, Class A CONSTRUCTION: Imperial Cybernetics Corporation DESCRIPTION: height - 1.25 meters weight - 544 kilos finish - duralloy plating Tripedal, a squat cylinder capped with a dome swivelling 360 degrees. A mobile computer with extensive servomechanisms, Artoo units are designed for efficient and uninterrupted operation under a variety of condition, and have a high tedium threshold. Able to operate in vacuum and zero gravity as effectively as in a pressurized environment, the Artoo unit is ideal for all manner of routine tasks; it is often used as a fieldhand on agricultural planets. R2-D2 models converse in a highly-compressed form of electronic language, which must be interpreted by a Translator droid before it can be understood by humans. The R2-D2 droid has little capability for dealing directly with humans.The dome contains a single radar eye, surrounded by an array of computer indicators and infrared receptors; also included is a holographic projector, as this type of droid is also used as a shipboard courier to personally deliver messages from planet to planet. The cylindrical body is equipped with a variety of multi-purpose appendages, including an information storage/retrieval jack (the R2 model is designed to operate in conjunction with a master computer bank); a fire-extinguisher spray unit; and various tools for repair and maintenance work.The Artoo unit can convey himself over smooth surfaces on two motorized treads; for rougher terrain, a third tread extends from a pocket in the body, and the unit is tilted to take advantage of the tripodal support. HISTORY: R2-D2 model utility droids are carried aboard all but the smallest space vessels; this series was constructed by the Imperial monopoly, and shipped to the Outland spaceport on Dantooine. Artoo was assigned to routine spaceport maintenance duties for several months. When the Imperial export tax on all droids was announced, Artoo was smuggled aboard an Alderaan Royal Cruiser--facing imminent boarding by stormtroopers, Artoo received priority program instruction from the Princess Leia Organa, who naturally had access to the droid's override security codes. She instructed Artoo to seek out Obiwan Kenobi, formerly an officer in her father's service, and to deliver to him certain rebel transmissions. The story, already chronicled at some length, is that Artoo--accompanied by a C-3PO model interpreter, who struck up an unusual and even affectionate relationship with the utility droid--did successfully deliver the vital transmissions to the Rebel base on Yavin. Although Artoo was instructed by the Princess that he was the property of General Kenobi, following his mysterious death the droid became Luke Skywalkers. CONDITION: Artoo received extensive carbon scoring in the battle between the rebel ship and the Imperial Cruiser; although he was able to land safely in a ship's escape pod, Artoo was soon discovered and roughly abducted by Jawas. Artoo was not seriously damaged in either fray, and the Princess' programming still compelled him to seek out General Kenobi and deliver the message through him to the rebel fortress.In the Battle of the Death Star, Artoo served as an ambulatory repair droid on a rebel fighter, and suffered a direct hit from a Tie fighter energy bolt; fortunately, the motivator and other vital components remained intact, and the technicians on Yavin were able to restore him to prime condition.The unusual loyalty and dedication of purpose observed in this unit is due, no doubt, to the demanding task set for it by the Princess; such qualities are rarely found in the single-minded and utilitarian R2-D2 model.